Yellowstone

While I was growing up my parents were very good at planning great family vacations. Our family can reminise for probably hours over road trips all over the western United States. Camping in a tent at KOA's, cooking on grills, eating out of coolers, stopping at all the scenic lookouts, and more--much more.

I have so many good memories from these family vacations that I was very excited when our good friends invited us to join them on their family get-a-way to Yellowstone.

(Kaylee was upset that the sun was shining in her eyes.)

Friday we arrived at Bridge Bay Campground.  We set up our spacious, new (for us) tent, got camp all set and started dinner.  We made use of the little bit of daylight left and headed out to see Fishing Bridge. We saw some beautiful pelicans and watched a bunch of otters playing a ways out into the river.

(I had to zoom way in to get this picture so it isn't very good quality)

We attended a very informative (althought rather long) presentation at our campground that night on Bison.  It was neat to learn all about the bison and it prepared us well for the great beasts we encountered the next day.
I believe it was someone in Lindsay's family that dubbed this guy the Grand Marshall.  He was just taking his leisure stroll down the road with a very long line of cars slowly following behind.  Glad we were headed the opposite direction.

View from Artist's Point

We had a little picnic lunch then headed to Mammoth Hot Springs.  We saw a grizzly bear and two mama black bears with their cubs, and a large Elk.

Mammoth Hot Springs

Our second Day's adventures consisted of venturing around the Old Faithful area. 

While Old Faithful was predictable and a good show we really enjoyed the several other geysers that we saw along our trek to Morning Glory Pool. 

Grotto Geyser

Riverside Geyser

(Kaylee and Drew were quite the buddies on the walk)

The weather was beautiful on Sunday and we took a long walk out to Morning Glory Pool.  At times we prodded and carried the kids on the walk, but the pool was beautiful and the kids had a good time.

Monday we packed up camp and headed for home.  We enjoyed the sights of the Grand Tetons, and famous Elk Horn Arch in Jackson.  And our last wildlife friend spotted was a moose--refreshing itself in the water.

It wouldn't have been the same without the great friends we shared it with!

Julianne, Miguel, Sophia, Lindsay & Gabriella

Rebecca, Ty, Clark, Geoff & Drew

Kaylee, Dan, Parker, Brenna & Marci